New York from the Shelton 1935

Alfred Stieglitz made this photograph, "New York from the Shelton," using his camera to explore the city as a subject. I love to imagine Stieglitz setting up his camera, adjusting the focus, and waiting for the right light to capture the essence of New York. I can feel him trying to show how the buildings reach into the sky, solid forms expressing a sense of endless possibility. Look how the light plays across the buildings, creating shadows and highlights that emphasize their geometric forms, the details and symmetry. Maybe he was trying to evoke the feeling of urban life, the energy and ambition of a city constantly remaking itself. There’s a conversation happening here between the city and the person looking at it. Artists like Stieglitz, who experiment with different styles and subjects, teach us how to see and think about the world in new ways, pushing the boundaries of what art can be. His photography inspires us to embrace ambiguity and open ourselves to multiple interpretations.